American Jewish Committee

AJC Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC Shabbat Table, we discuss how this week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, reminds us that the Jewish people remain alive and intact as a people via the collective memories we pass down to future generations. We also provide some tools for modeling thoughtful and informed citizenship for our children and grandchildren in our ever-more polarized nation. And lastly, we hear a treasured recording from the AJC Archives of the late Congresswoman Bella Abzug and review some key moments in Jewish history, including the start of World War II and the first Zionist Congress. Read more

AJC Honors CEO David Harris

Thirty years ago, David Harris took the reins at AJC and revolutionized global Jewish advocacy. Under his visionary leadership, AJC has become the most influential and transformational force advancing Jewish interests throughout the world. On October 7, we will come together virtually, along with distinguished guests, to honor David for his audacious ambition. Donors who contribute $1,250 or more to AJC’s 2020 campaign are invited to attend. Learn more.

On Air

Election 2020: The Republican National Convention
People of the Pod / 24-minute listen
On the sidelines of the Republican National Convention, we speak with Matt Brooks, Executive Director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, about his takeaways from the week and what Jews should know about the Republican platform and ticket this year. Then, we’re joined by AJC Los Angeles Associate Director Saba Soomekh to hear about the ongoing battle over California’s ethnic studies curriculum. Listen now

Must-reads

It’s Time to Unfollow Farrakhan
Jewish News Syndicate / 2-minute read
While Blacks and Jews are uniting, as they did in the civil rights era, to combat gun violence, police brutality, and inequality across America, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan continues to cast a shadow with his vile antisemitism. Dov Wilker, AJC Director of Black Jewish Relations, and Holly Huffnagle, AJC U.S. Director of Combating Antisemitism, suggest in this JNS column that so long as Farrakhan remains in the spotlight, progress and partnerships will suffer. “Those who defend Farrakhan on the grounds that NOI helps underserved black communities across America and empowers African Americans should know that one cannot empower one group by denigrating another,” they write. Watch entertainer Nick Cannon on AJC’s Advocacy Anywhere program condemn parts of Farrakhan’s message—but not Farrakhan himself. Read more

NAACP Takes Over Philadelphia Chapter Amid Antisemitism
Philadelphia Inquirer / 2-minute read
The NAACP will replace all leadership of its Philadelphia chapter, including its disgraced president Rodney Muhammad. Last month, Muhummad sparked outrage after posting on Facebook an antisemitic caricature of a hook-nosed, yarmulke-wearing figure crushing a crowd. In a statement, AJC Philadelphia Director Marcia Bronstein welcomed the leadership change. “Past accomplishments by the Black and Jewish communities are too important to be derailed by Minister Muhammad’s hate,” she said. Read more

Pompeo Adds Oman to Middle East Tour
The Times of Israel / 1-minute read
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added Oman to his list of Middle East and Africa destinations this week as he tried to seize on momentum from the recent normalization agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Pompeo visited Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Israel, where he boarded the first nonstop flight from Tel Aviv to Khartoum in Sudan. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: “Psalm 34: ‘Seek peace and pursue it.’ Wishing you every success in Khartoum, [Secretary Pompeo]. Hoping this is the first of what will one day be regular nonstop flights between Israel & Sudan.” Watch Secretary Pompeo address AJC Virtual Global Forum 2020 earlier this summer. Read more

Member of Hezbollah Hit Squad Killed Former Lebanese Prime Minister
The Washington Post / 2-minute read
Last week, judges at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon convicted a Hezbollah operative for playing a central role in the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. But the judges said no evidence implicated Hezbollah leaders, who denied any involvement. According to U.S., Middle Eastern, and European security officials, the operative, Salim Ayyash, is part of Unit 121, a team of hitmen that carried out at least four other assassinations under orders from Hezbollah. Join AJC in urging the international community to designate all of Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Read more

Good to Know

RNC Speaker Removed After Sharing Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories
Religion News Service / 2-minute read
Mary Ann Mendoza, the founder of Angel Families, a term used by families of people killed by undocumented immigrants, and an advisory board member for both Women for Trump and Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., was removed from the Republican National Convention this week after she shared a Twitter thread hailing “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” as true, claiming there is a Jewish plot to control the world, and echoing other falsehoods spread by the QAnon movement. Read AJC’s position paper on QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory with clear antisemitic undertones. AJC tweeted: “We thank the @GOP for pulling Mendoza from the convention but call upon the party to condemn QAnon in the strongest possible terms.” Click here to watch AJC programming from the sidelines of this week’s RNC and last week’s Democratic National Convention. Read more

Turkey Grants Citizenship to Hamas Members
The Times of Israel / 2-minute read
An Israeli diplomat has confirmed reports that Turkey is granting citizenship to a dozen of the most senior Hamas operatives outside of Gaza, including one who allegedly plotted to kill the mayor of Jerusalem. The Turkish passports enable the operatives to travel more freely in countries that have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The mission of Hamas, mandated by its charter, is antisemitic, anti-Israel, and anti-Western. In the last quarter-century, the Gaza-based terrorist group has carried out more than 80 suicide attacks in Israel, murdering approximately 1,000 Israelis. AJC tweeted: “Shameful: Turkey once took rightful pride in having saved Jews. Erdogan's government now confers citizenship on terrorists who seek to murder us.” Read more

Time for Boris to Back Israel
The Spectator / 2-minute read
Dominic Raab made Israel his first travel destination as UK foreign secretary this week. But columnist Stephen Daisley suggests that, gestures notwithstanding, a pro-Israel foreign policy would be better. In this column, he proposes a ten-point plan that includes moving the British embassy to Jerusalem, beefing up anti-BDS laws, affirming that the Jewish people are indigenous to Israel, and explicitly recognizing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination while urging them to resume peace talks and seek a Palestinian state. “Tory-lite popular liberalism ... may be Boris's saving grace: he might be convinced to get a little radical,” Raab wrote. “Actually, I’m suggesting something really radical: a policy on Israel that is actually pro-Israel.” Read more

Tidings

Mrs. Maisel Celebrates the Apollo (Jewish Journal)
Bigots for Biden? No. (Tablet magazine)
New Chapter for Berlin’s Jewish Museum (The New York Times)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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